U.S. patent number 11,111,940 [Application Number 16/594,563] was granted by the patent office on 2021-09-07 for leg coupling for table.
This patent grant is currently assigned to EVIS FURNITURE CO., LTD.. The grantee listed for this patent is EVIS FURNITURE CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Yusuke Hirose.
United States Patent |
11,111,940 |
Hirose |
September 7, 2021 |
Leg coupling for table
Abstract
A leg coupling for a table includes a coupling body for
supporting a lower surface of a top plate. The coupling body
includes an upper coupling projecting downward. The upper coupling
is configured to be inserted into a coupling insertion hole of a
leg. A lower coupling with a thread hole is coaxially arranged
under the upper coupling. The coupling body includes a bolt
insertion hole. A bolt inserted into the bolt insertion hole is
screwed into the thread hole of the lower coupling. A peripheral
surface of the upper coupling or a peripheral surface of the lower
coupling can be press-fitted to an inner surface of the leg. The
peripheral surface of the upper coupling has the same diameter as
the peripheral surface of the lower coupling. Opposing ends of the
upper coupling and the lower coupling have taper surfaces that can
be engaged with each other.
Inventors: |
Hirose; Yusuke (Saitama,
JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EVIS FURNITURE CO., LTD. |
Saitama |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
EVIS FURNITURE CO., LTD.
(Saitama, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005791706 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/594,563 |
Filed: |
October 7, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20200116183 A1 |
Apr 16, 2020 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Oct 16, 2018 [JP] |
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JP2018-194987 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B
12/44 (20130101); F16B 12/10 (20130101); F16B
2012/106 (20130101); F16B 2012/446 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16B
12/44 (20060101); F16B 12/10 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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49-3802 |
|
Jan 1974 |
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JP |
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2679649 |
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Nov 1997 |
|
JP |
|
Primary Examiner: Garft; Christopher
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack,
L.L.P.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A leg coupling for furniture, the leg coupling comprising: a
coupling body for supporting a lower surface of a top plate of the
furniture, wherein: the coupling body is configured to be arranged
on an end side of the lower surface of the top plate; a first end
of the coupling body is provided with an upper coupling having a
circular columnar shape and projecting downward; an upper end part
of a leg is configured to be arranged at the end side of the lower
surface of the top plate; the upper end part of the leg is formed
with a coupling insertion hole; the upper coupling is configured to
be inserted into the coupling insertion hole; a lower coupling
having a circular columnar shape is arranged under the upper
coupling; fitting surfaces of the lower coupling are formed with
taper surfaces; the upper coupling is formed with a bolt insertion
hole into which a bolt can be inserted; the lower coupling is
formed with a thread hole into which the bolt can be screwed; the
upper coupling and the lower coupling can be connected to each
other through the bolt; a second end of the coupling body is formed
with a square frustum shaped engagement hole; a pair of
wedge-shaped engagement elements is arranged in the square frustum
shaped engagement hole in an opposing relation so that the pair of
wedge-shaped engagement elements can be press-fitted to each other;
each of the pair of wedge-shaped engagement elements is formed in a
plate shape so that the pair of wedge-shaped engagement elements
can be fitted to each other; a first of the pair of wedge-shaped
engagement elements has a joint surface with a convex guide and a
second of the pair of wedge-shaped engagement elements has a joint
surface with a guide groove; and the convex guide is configured to
be fitted into the guide groove so as to removably attach the pair
of wedge-shaped engagement elements to each other.
2. The leg coupling according to claim 1, wherein: the convex guide
is a first convex guide and the guide groove is a second guide
groove; the first of the pair of wedge-shaped engagement elements
is formed with the first convex guide and a first guide groove
spaced apart; the second of the pair of wedge-shaped engagement
elements is formed with a second convex guide and the second guide
groove spaced apart; and the second guide groove and the second
convex guide are removably arranged at the first convex guide and
the first guide groove, respectively.
3. The leg coupling according to claim 1, wherein the pair of
wedge-shaped engagement elements and a plurality of joints disposed
outside the pair of wedge-shaped engagement elements are arranged
in a V-shape in a plan view.
4. The leg coupling according to claim 3, wherein: the convex guide
is a first convex guide and the second of the pair of wedge-shaped
engagement elements is formed with a second convex guide; the first
of the pair of wedge-shaped engagement elements, the first convex
guide and a first of the plurality of joints are integrally formed;
and a second of the pair of wedge-shaped engagement elements, the
second convex guide and a second of the plurality of joints are
integrally formed.
5. The leg coupling according to claim 2, wherein: a first notch
groove is formed between the first convex guide and the first guide
groove; a second notch groove is formed between the second convex
guide and the second guide groove; and the first notch groove and
the second notch groove can be in communication with each other
when the first of the pair of wedge-shaped engagement elements and
the second of the pair of wedge-shaped engagement elements are
connected.
6. The leg coupling according to claim 3, wherein: each of the
plurality of joints is formed in a prismatic shape so as to be
insertable into a lower frame; each of the plurality of joints has
screw holes formed at a right side surface and a left side surface
thereof, so that screws can be inserted therein, respectively; and
each of the plurality of joints has an elongated hole formed at an
upper surface and a lower surface thereof, so that a connection
bolt, which can be screwed into an embedded nut of the top plate,
can be inserted therein.
7. The leg coupling according to claim 5, wherein, for each of the
pair of wedge-shaped engagement elements: a polygonal joint element
is disposed at a position orthogonal to the joint surface; a lower
surface of the polygonal joint element is flat; and the polygonal
joint element is arranged on a lower side, wherein the polygonal
joint element of the first of the pair of wedge-shaped engagement
elements and the polygonal joint element of the second of the pair
of wedge-shaped engagement elements are engageable such that the
first notch groove and the second notch groove are blocked.
8. The leg coupling according to claim 1, wherein the upper end
part of the leg is formed with a notch groove so that the first end
of the coupling body can be engaged therewith, the notch groove is
open sideward and an end part of the notch groove is formed so as
to be able to communicate with the coupling insertion hole.
9. The leg coupling according to claim 7, wherein each of the
polygonal joint elements is provided at one end thereof with a
convex part, and an assembling margin is formed between the convex
part and the square frustum shaped engagement hole.
10. The leg coupling according to claim 1, wherein the leg is a
single piece of wood and can have a variety of different shapes in
section.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a leg coupling for a table, etc., which
is suitable for attaching, for example, to a table leg made of
solid wood, and which is simple in structure and can be made easily
and inexpensively, and which can be easily and firmly attached to a
table leg having a wide variety of shapes and/or sectional
shapes.
BACKGROUND ART
Conventionally, as means for connecting a leg to the lower surface
of a top plate of a table, there is known a technology in which a
concave engagement hole is formed in each corner part of the top
plate, a leg attachment plate is tightly screwed into the concave
engagement hole, a leg joint part is fitted to the leg attachment
plate, the leg joint part is fitted to the leg attachment plate,
the leg joint part is locked to a leg lock bracket, and a leg pipe
is fitted into a space between a peripheral surface of the leg
joint part and the leg lock bracket (see, for example, Japanese
Patent No. 2679649).
However, the above-mentioned leg connection mechanism has such an
inconvenience that the leg attachment plate, leg joint part and leg
lock bracket are required, and since shapes and dimensions thereof
are formed depending on the inner or outer diameters of the leg
pipe, difficulties occur when the inner and outer diameters of the
leg are changed.
Also, there is another related prior art of the table leg
connection means, in which an attachment bracket is screwed to a
lower surface of a table, a bolt is inserted into its side hole,
its thread shaft is tightly screwed into a hole formed in a support
arm for the table, a slit is formed in a lower part of a coupling
body, a conical wedge is inserted into the slit, the wedge is
screwed to a bolt inserted in an upper part of the coupling body so
as to expand the slit, the opened slit is press fitted to an inner
surface of a leg tube which is fitted to the lower part of the
coupling body, so that the coupling body and the leg tube can be
connected to each other (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model
Application Publication No. S49-3802).
However, the above-mentioned connection means has such drawbacks
that many parts such as an attachment bracket, a conical wedge, and
the like, and thus, the structure is complicate, connection of
those parts require much time and effort. In addition, when the
inner diameter is changed, it became difficult to meet with the
changed situation or requirements. So, it became necessary to
remake the component parts so as to have new shapes and
dimensions.
SUMMARY OF THE PROBLEM
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide, in
order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a leg coupling for a
table, etc., which is suitable for attaching a table leg made, for
example, of solid wood, and which is simple in structure and can be
made easily and inexpensively, and which can be attached to a table
leg having a wide variety of shapes and/or sectional shapes easily
and firmly.
According to one aspect of the present invention, in a leg coupling
for a table, etc., in which a coupling body supporting a lower
surface of a top plate is provided with an upper coupling
projecting downward, the upper coupling is inserted into a coupling
body insertion hole of a leg, a lower coupling formed with a thread
hole is coaxially arranged under the upper coupling, the coupling
body is formed with a bolt insertion hole, a bolt inserted into the
bolt insertion hole is screwed into the thread hole of the lower
coupling, a peripheral surface of either the upper or lower
coupling can be press-fitted to an inner surface of the leg,
a leg coupling for a table, etc. (the improvement) is characterized
in that the outer peripheral surface of the upper coupling has the
same diameter as that of the outer peripheral surface of the lower
coupling, the outer peripheral surfaces of the upper and lower
couplings are arranged in such a manner as to be able to engage an
inner surface of the coupling insertion hole, the upper and lower
couplings are formed on opposing ends thereof with taper surfaces
that can be engaged with each other, and the taper surfaces are
formed with a convex part and a concave groove in such a manner as
to be engageable and slidable with each other. Owing to the
foregoing arrangement, the leg is supported by the upper and lower
couplings firmly, the convex part and concave groove are engageably
and slidably formed so as to restrict the operation of the taper
surface and the lower coupling, press-fit the lower coupling to the
inner surface of the insertion hole reliably, and retain the leg
firmly by the press-fitting force.
In the leg coupling for a table, etc., the upper and lower
couplings are formed in an obliquely cut columnar shape. Owing to
the foregoing arrangement, they can be press-fitted through the
taper surfaces thereof, and the lower coupling can be displaced
along the taper surfaces.
In the leg coupling for a table, etc., a taper surface of a lower
end of the upper coupling is formed with a convex part, and a taper
surface of an upper end of the lower coupling is formed with a
concave groove. Owing to the foregoing arrangement, load and
pressing force exerted from the upper coupling is dispersed to the
two taper surfaces of the lower coupling so that those contact
surface forces are reduced, thereby enhancing the smooth
displacement of the lower coupling.
In the leg coupling for a table, etc., when the bolt is tightened,
the lower coupling can be moved upward along the convex part, and
one side peripheral surface of the lower coupling can be displaced
in such a manner as to project outward from the peripheral surface
of the upper coupling. Owing to the foregoing arrangement, the
lower coupling is caused to move upward along the convex part
reliably by the tension generated when the bolt is tightened.
In the leg coupling for a table, etc., when the lower coupling is
moved upward, one side surface thereof can be press fitted to an
inner surface of the coupling insertion hole. Owing to the
foregoing arrangement, the press-fitting to the inner surface of
the coupling insertion hole is realized by the amount of projecting
displacement toward outside of the lower coupling, and the leg is
retained firmly by the contacting surface pressure.
In the leg coupling for a table, etc., when the lower coupling is
moved upward, the bolt can be displaced in the same direction as
the press-fitting direction of the lower coupling. Owing to the
foregoing arrangement, the bolt is press-fitted to the inner
surface of the bolt insertion hole, the lower coupling is retained,
the press-fitting with respect to the inner surface of the bolt
insertion hole is enhanced, and the press-fitting with respect to
the inner surface of the coupling insertion hole is strengthened by
the one side peripheral surface of the upper and lower couplings,
so that the leg is retained firmly.
In the leg coupling for a table, etc., the bolt can be press fitted
to the inner surface of the bolt insertion hole. Owing to the
foregoing arrangement, the retaining of the lower coupling is
enhanced by the press-fitting force.
In the leg coupling for a table, etc., the leg is formed at an
upper part thereof with a coupling insertion hole having a bottom
into which the upper and lower couplings can be inserted. Owing to
the foregoing arrangement, it can be readily used regardless of the
outer diameter and outer peripheral surface of the leg, and can
cope with various designs, decorations and forms of the leg. This
effect is particularly suitably used for a wooden leg for the
furniture or table to which various designs and decorations are
applied.
In the leg coupling for a table, etc., the coupling body is formed
at one end thereof with a square frustum shaped engagement hole,
and a pair of wedge shaped connection elements is press inserted
into the engagement hole for connection. Owing to the foregoing
arrangement, a pair of connection elements are press-fitted to one
end of the coupling body, so that it can cope with easy assembly of
the component members associated with the connection elements.
In the leg coupling for a table, etc., the connection element is
provided at the other end thereof with a joint to which a lower
frame can be attached. Owing to the foregoing arrangement, by
integrally forming the joint on the connecting elements, for
example, the lower frame is attached to the joint so that the lower
surface of the top plate can be supported reasonably and
stably.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a meeting table to which the
present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the above meeting table.
FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an important part of the
meeting table to which the present invention is applied, showing an
attaching status of a lower surface of a top plate, a coupling body
and a leg.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line A-A of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line B-B of FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line C-C of FIG. 4.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line D-D of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing an important part of
the present invention, showing a coupling body including an upper
coupling; a lower coupling and a bolt.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing an important part
of the present invention, showing a coupling body, a lower coupling
and an upper part of the leg.
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupling body
including an upper coupling, and a lower coupling, which are
applied to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view, when viewed from the side,
of FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on line E-E of FIG. 11.
FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line F-F of FIG. 12.
FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken on line G-G of FIG. 12.
FIG. 16 is a front view showing a side end part of a coupling body
which is applied to the present invention, showing in a slightly
enlarged scale.
FIG. 17 (a) is a sectional view showing a status of the upper and
lower couplings, which are applied to the present invention, before
the bolt is tightened, FIG. 17(b) is a sectional view showing a
status of the upper and lower couplings, which are applied to the
present invention, after the bolt is tightened, FIG. 17(c) is a
sectional view taken on line H-H of the just mentioned FIG. 17(a),
and FIG. 17(d) is a sectional view taken on line I-I of the just
mentioned FIG. 17(b).
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing, in an exploded state, one
connection element and a lower frame which are applied to the
present invention.
FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken on line J-J of FIG. 18.
FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken on line K-K of FIG. 18.
FIGS. 21(a) through (e) are perspective views, showing various
forms of a leg to which the present invention can be applied, in
which FIG. 21(f) is an enlarged sectional view taken on line L-L of
FIG. 21(a), FIG. 21(g) is an enlarged sectional view taken on line
M-M of FIG. 21(b), FIG. 21(h) is an enlarged sectional view taken
on line N-N of FIG. 21(c), FIG. 21(i) is an enlarged sectional view
taken on line O-O of FIG. 21(d), and FIG. 21(j) is an enlarged
sectional view taken on line P-P of FIG. 21(e).
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the present invention will now be described
hereinafter with reference to the drawing, in which the present
invention is applied to a meeting table. In FIGS. 1 through 21,
reference numeral 1 denotes a meeting table, a top plate 2 of which
has a laterally elongated rectangular shape and is provided at an
outer side part of a lower surface thereof with rectangular tubular
lower frames 3,4 which are orthogonal to each other. The top plate
2 is attached to an angular part of the lower surface with an upper
end of a leg 5 which extends slantwise downward with a lower end
thereof placed slightly outward.
The leg 5 is configured in a cylindrical shape made of wood such
that it has the same diameter in the longitudinal direction. The
leg 5 is attached at a lower end thereof with a cap 6 which is made
of tubular and integrally attached at an upper end thereof with a
generally L-shaped coupling body 7 which is made by aluminum
diecasting.
The leg 5 is formed in a solid shape, i.e., in a solid cylindrical
shape. The leg 5 is formed at an upper end thereof with a bottomed
coupling insertion hole which has a circular shape in section. The
insertion hole 8 is formed at an upper end thereof with a notch
groove 9 which is notched sideward. The coupling body 7 is
intimately attached to the insertion hole 8 through the notch
groove 9.
A lower coupling 10 and an upper coupling 11, which are made by
aluminum diecasting, are inserted in the coupling insertion hole 8
such that the upper and lower couplings 10, 11 can be vertically
engaged with each other.
Of those component elements, the lower coupling 10 is formed in an
obliquely cut columnar shape and a thread hole 12 is formed through
therein. A lower coupling 10 has a taper surface 13 at the
obliquely cut part of an upper end thereof, and a concave groove 14
is formed, in a taper shape, on the taper surface 13. The thread
hole 12 is open in the concave groove 14.
Likewise, the upper coupling 11 is formed in an obliquely cut
columnar shape. The upper coupling 11 has a taper surface 15 at the
obliquely cut part of a lower end thereof, and a convex part 16 is
formed, in a taper shape, on the taper surface 15 such that convex
part 16 can slide and couple with the concave groove 14. The convex
part 16 is formed with an oval-shaped bolt insertion hole 17.
The bolt insertion hole 17 is open in an elongated hole-shaped
stepped hole 18 formed at a flat upper end face of the coupling
body 7. Before the attachment of the top plate 2, a bolt 19 is
inserted into the stepped hole 18 through a washer 20, so that a
thread shaft thereof can be screwed into the thread hole 12. In the
figures, reference numeral 19 denotes a coupling groove for a
wrench (not shown) formed on a head part of the bolt 19.
The lower coupling 10 is arranged in the coupling insertion hole 8
with the taper surface 13 facing upward, while the upper coupling
11 is arranged with the taper surface 15 facing downward. The
convex part 14 is slidably connected to the concave groove 14, and
as shown in FIGS. 17(a) and 17(c), before the bolt 19 is tightened,
an outer peripheral surface of the lower coupling 10 is
concentrically arranged in the coupling insertion hole 8, and a
minute gap is formed therebetween.
After the bolt 19 is tightened, as shown in FIGS. 17(b) and 17(d),
the lower coupling 10 is pulled upward by tensile force of the bolt
19, the tapered concave groove 14 is moved upward along the convex
part 16, the outer peripheral surface thereof is minutely displaced
and projected sideward, thus enabling to press contact the inner
surface of the coupling insertion hole 8 by the amount of the
displacement.
Then, in accordance with the displacement of the lower coupling 10,
the bolt 19 is moved together and press-fitted to the inner
peripheral surface of the bolt insertion hole 17 so as to move the
outer peripheral surface of the upper coupling 11 together by small
amount, so that the outer peripheral surface can be press-fitted to
the peripheral surface of the coupling insertion hole 8.
Accordingly, the gap e between the press-fitting side of the bolt
insertion hole 17 and the bolt 19 is lost but the gap e between the
press-fitting side and the other side of the bolt insertion hole 17
and the bolt 19 is approximately doubled.
By tightening the bolt 19 in this way, the outer peripheral surface
of the lower coupling 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the
upper coupling 11 on the same side are press-fitting to the inner
surface of the coupling insertion hole 8, and by this press-fitting
force, the leg 5 is firmly retained.
In this case, the concave groove 14 of the lower coupling 10 and
the convex part 16 of the upper coupling 11 are engaged with each
other so as to restrict the direction of movement, thereby
restricting the upward movement of the lower coupling 10 in
accordance with the progress of the tightening movement of the bolt
19.
Further, by forming the gap e between the bolt insertion hole 17
and the bolt 19, the movement of the bolt 19 is allowed in the bolt
insertion hole 17 when the bolt 17 is tightened.
The upper part of the coupling body 7 is formed in a rectangular
tubular shape and an engagement hole 22 is open in a side end part
thereof. A pair of connection elements, as later described, is
inserted into the engagement hole 22, so that one end thereof can
be connected to the lower frames 3, 4.
The interior of the engagement hole 22 is formed in an empty space
having a truncated pyramid shape, an inner surface thereof is
formed with a taper surface converging inward, and the interior
thereof is divided into upper and lower surfaces 22a, 22b and right
and left surfaces 22c, 33d.
In this embodiment, the taper angle .theta.a of the upper and lower
surfaces 22a, 22b is formed larger than the taper angle .theta.b of
the right and left surfaces 22c, 22d (.theta.a>.theta.b).
Specifically, ea is approximately 18.degree. and .theta.b is
approximately 6.degree..
In this case, it is also acceptable that the taper angle .theta.a
and the taper angle .theta.b are made equal, or one of the taper
angles .theta.a and .theta.b are made zero so as to form a flat
surface.
A pair of connection elements 23, 24, which is made by aluminum
diecasting, is press fitted into the engagement hole 22. The pair
of connection elements 23, 24 is formed in a wedge shaped plate,
and the side shape thereof is, as shown in FIG. 5, formed in an
isosceles trapezoidal shape. The upper and lower surfaces of the
connection elements 23, 24 are formed in a taper surface so that
the upper and lower surfaces can be engaged with the upper and
lower surfaces 22a, 22b of the engagement hole 22.
Likewise, the cross-sectional shape of the connection elements 23,
24 is formed in an elongated trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG. 6,
and an outer side surface thereof is formed in a taper surface
engageable to the left and right surfaces 22c, 22d of the
engagement hole 22.
Opposing joint parts 23a, 34a of the connection elements 23, 24 are
formed in a flat surface. The joint surfaces 23a, 24a are formed at
one end thereof with concave grooves 25, 26 each having a
semi-circular shape in section. A bolt 27 is inserted into a
circular through-hole, which is formed by joining the concave
grooves 25, 26, from the opening side of the engagement hole 22,
and a thread shaft thereof is screwed into a thread hole 28 which
is open in a bottom part of the engagement hole 22, so that the
connection elements 23, 24 are intimately attached so as to be
fixed to the coupling body 7.
The joint part 23a is provided at a basal part side thereof is
provided with a laterally elongated convex-shaped guide 29 and a
laterally elongated guide groove 30, and the opposing other
connection element 24 is likewise formed at a basal part of the
joint surface 24a with a laterally elongated convex-shaped guide
and a laterally elongated guide groove with vertical positions
thereof reversed, so that when the connection elements 23, 24 are
assembled, they are connected and intimately jointed with each
other.
In those Figs., reference numerals 31, 32 denote wide and deep
notch grooves formed between the convex guide 29 and the guide
groove 30. The notch grooves 31, 32 are formed such that when
assembled, they can communicate with each other and the bolt 27 can
be screwed into the thread hole 28 with a finger inserted into
these notch grooves 31, 32.
The notch grooves 31. 32 are integrally formed at upper sides
thereof with deformed joint elements 33, 34 and at one end thereof
with projecting convex parts 35, 36. A small assembling margin E is
provided between the convex parts 35, 36 and an opening edge of the
engagement hole 22, thus enabling for the connection elements 23,
24 to perform engagement and adjustment.
The joint elements 33, 34 are provided at tip parts thereof with
columnar joints 37, 38 in such a manner as to project therefrom and
to allow the lower frames 3, 4 to be inserted therein. The joints
37, 38 together with the connection elements 23, 24 are formed in a
generally dogleg shape.
The joints 37, 38 are formed at inner peripheral surfaces thereof
with the thread holes 39, 40, into which tiny screws 41, 42 are
screwed from outside the lower frames 3, 4, so that the end parts
of the lower frames 3, 4 are attached to the joints 37, 38.
In this case, the connection elements 23, 24 are integrally formed
with the joints 37,38. It is also acceptable that they are
separately formed.
In those Figs., reference numerals 43, 44 denote elongated holes
formed in the length direction of the joints 37, 38. Connection
bolts 45,46 are inserted into the elongated holes 43, 44, and then,
screwed into nuts (not shown) embedded in the top plate 2. so that
the joints 37, 38 can be connected to the top plate 2.
The leg coupling for a table, etc., which is made in the manner as
described hereinbefore, comprises the coupling body 7, a upper
coupling 11 which is integral with the coupling body 7, the lower
coupling 10, the leg 5 and the bolt 5, and further comprises the
pair of connection elements 23, 24 and joints 37, 38 which are
required for connection to the coupling body 7.
The coupling body 7 is integrally formed in a generally L-shape by
aluminum diecasting, an upper part thereof is formed in a
rectangular tubular shape, an upper end thereof is formed in a flat
surface 7a so that the top plate 2 can stably be placed thereon,
and a lower side thereof is formed with the upper coupling 11.
The upper coupling 11 is formed in an obliquely cut columnar shape,
and the lower end thereof is formed on a tapered surface 15 of the
obliquely cut part with a tapered convex part 16. The convex part
16 is formed with an oval-shaped bolt insertion hole 17. The upper
part of the bolt insertion hole 17 is open in a stepped hole 18
formed on the end part of the coupling body 7.
Further, a rectangular engagement hole 22 is open in the end part
of the rectangular tubular part of the coupling body 7. The inside
of the engagement hole 22 is an empty space having a square frustum
shape, an inner surface thereof is divided by upper and lower
planes 22a, 22b, left and right planes 22c, 22d, and a pair of
connection elements 23, 24 are engageably formed therein, and a
thread hole 28 is formed at an inner part thereof.
The lower coupling 10 is formed in an obliquely cut columnar shape
by aluminum diecasting, and an outer diameter thereof is formed in
such a manner as to have the same diameter as that of the upper
coupling 11. The lower coupling 10 is formed at an upper end
thereof with a taper surface 13 facing upward. The taper surface 13
is formed at the center with a tapered concave groove 14 engageable
with the convex part 16c and slidable. The concave groove 14 is
formed at the center with a penetrating thread hole 12.
The leg 5 is made of solid wood. In this embodiment, it is made of
a wooden member having the same outer diameter, and a bottomed
coupling insertion hole 8 is formed at an upper part of the inner
side thereof by drilling, so that the lower coupling 10 and upper
coupling 11 can be inserted into the coupling insertion hole 8.
Moreover, the leg 8 is formed at an sideward part of its upper end
a notch groove 9, so that a basal part of the rectangular tubular
part of the coupling body can be engaged therewith.
It is also accepted that the leg 5 is made of other material than
wood, such as, for example, aluminum diecast and synthetic resin.
Likewise, the outer shape of the leg 5 may be formed in a circular
columnar shape, triangular columnar shape, rectangular columnar
shape, oval columnar shape, or tapered columnar shape thereof as
shown, for example, in FIG. 21(a) through (e).
Of them, FIG. 21(a) shows a leg having a tapered circular column
shape in which the outer diameter is gradually reduced downward,
and the leg is diagonally arranged with a lower end thereof
displaced outward, FIG. 21(b) shows a leg having an oval columnar
shape and vertically arranged with the coupling insertion hole 8
disposed outside the leg 5, so that the attaching space for the leg
5 with respect to the top plate 2 can be downsized and uniformed,
FIG. 21(c) shows a leg which is formed in a tapered oval columnar
shape, a lower end of the leg 5 is displaced outward and diagonally
arranged, with the coupling insertion hole 8 arranged outside the
leg 5, so that the attaching space for the leg 5 with respect to
the top plate 2 can be downsized and uniformed,
Likewise, FIG. 21(d) shows a leg 5 formed in a rectangular columnar
shape and arranged vertically, with a coupling insertion hole 8
arranged at the center of the leg 5, a notch groove 9 thereof being
formed on the diagonal line, and FIG. 21(e) shows a leg 5 formed in
a tapered triangular shape, in which a lower end thereof is moved
outward and arranged diagonally, the coupling insertion hole 8 is
arranged at the center of the leg 5, and the notch groove 9 is open
in an inner corner part.
The bolt 19 may be selected from those commercially available and
is provided at a head part thereof with an engagement hole 21
engageable with a wrench.
The connection elements 23, 24 are formed in a wedge-shaped plate
by aluminum diecasting, a side surface thereof is formed in an
isosceles trapezoid shape, the other end thereof is integrally
formed with generally prismatic joints 37, 38, and the joints 37,
38 and connection elements 23, 24 are formed in a generally dogleg
shape.
It is also accepted that the connection elements 23, 24 and joints
37, 38 are separately formed. In doing so, they can be formed
easily.
As mentioned above, since the component members of the leg coupling
for a table, etc. have a relatively simple structure, they can be
manufactured easily and inexpensively.
Next, when the leg 5 is attached to the lower surface of the top
plate 2 using the component members, the upper coupling 11 and
lower coupling 10 are inserted into the coupling insertion hole 8
of the leg 5 such that the couplers 11, 10 are in a vertical
relation, and their taper surfaces 13, 16 are arranged in an
opposing relation, and the convex part 16 is brought into
engagement with the concave groove 14.
While keeping such an engagement relation, the bolt 19 is inserted
into the bolt insertion hole 17 of the upper coupling 11 from the
stepped hole 18 side, the thread shaft is screwed into the thread
hole 12 of the lower coupling 10 so that the upper coupling 11 and
lower coupling 10 are connected to each other.
When the taper surface 13, 16 of the lower coupling 10 and upper
coupling 11 are fitted to each other, the bolt 19 is positioned at
the center within the coupling insertion hole 8, and their outer
peripheral surfaces are coaxially positioned. This status is as
shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and (c).
When the bolt 19 is tightened by a wrench, the thread shaft is
threadedly engaged with the thread hole 12 of the lower coupling 10
and progressed within the thread hole 12, so that the lower
coupling 10 is pulled upward.
As a result, the taper surface 13 is slid on the taper surface 16,
the concave groove 14 is moved upward along the convex part 16, the
lower coupling 10 is moved upward, so that the upper end side of
the taper surface 13 is slightly projected outward from the upper
end of the taper surface 16 of the upper coupling 11 and the outer
peripheral surface on the projecting side is press-fitted to the
inner peripheral surface of the coupling insertion hole 8. This
status is as shown in FIGS. 17(a) and (d).
In accordance with the upward movement of the lower coupling 10,
the bolt 19 screwed to the lower coupling 10 is moved through the
bolt insertion hole 17 in the same direction together with the
lower coupling 10 and press-fitted to the inner peripheral surface
of the bolt insertion hole 17.
As a result, the bolt 19 is caused to retain the lower coupling 10
by the press-fitting force, thus enabling to retain the leg 5
firmly by retaining the fitting state of the lower coupling 10.
Thereafter, the pair of connection elements 23,24 is inserted into
the engagement hole 22 of the coupling body 7 so as to fit the
fitting surfaces 23a, 23b of the connection elements 23, 24 and to
connect the opposing convex guide 29 and guide groove 30, the bolt
27 is inserted into those concave grooves 25, 26 and the thread
shaft is screwed into the thread hole 28 so as to fix the
connection elements 23, 24 to the coupling body 7.
At that time, the connection elements 23, 24 are caused to taper
surfaces 22a through 22d in the engagement hole 22, and the
connection elements 23, 24 are connected to the coupling body 7 by
the wedge effect firmly.
Thereafter, one ends of the lower frames 3, 4 are attached to the
joints 37, 38 which are integral with the connection elements 23,
24, and the other ends are attached with the other side joints 37,
38, the coupling body 7 is connected to the upper parts of the four
legs 5, the respective coupling bodies 7 are connected with the
connection elements 23, 24, and the lower frames 3, 4 are attached
to the connection elements 23, 24.
Thus, after the respective supporting frames located at the lower
parts of the top plate 2, the connection bolts 45, 46 are inserted
into the elongated holes 43, 44 of the joints 37, 38, and the
thread shaft is screwed into a nut (not shown) embedded in the
table 1, so that the joints 37, 38 are attached with the top plate
2. At that time, since the upper end face of the coupling body 7 is
formed on the flat surface 7a, the top plate 2 can be attached
stably.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
As described hereinbefore, a leg coupling for a table, etc.
according to the present invention is simple in structure and can
be made easily and inexpensively, and it can attach a table leg
having a wide variety of shapes and/or sectional shapes easily and
firmly. Therefore, the leg coupling according to the present
invention is suitable for attaching a table leg made of solid wood,
for example.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
2 . . . top plate 3, 4 . . . lower frame 7 . . . coupling body 8 .
. . coupling insertion hole 10 . . . lower coupling 11 . . . upper
coupling 12 . . . thread hole 17 . . . bolt insertion hole 19 . . .
bolt 13, 15 . . . taper surface 14 . . . concave groove 16 . . .
convex part 22 . . . engagement hole 23, 24 . . . connection
element 37, 38 . . . joint
* * * * *